"That determination has not been made with 100 percent certainty, but it's likely.

“That's my best read on this so far. Once there is a conclusion to the process, I'm sure the doctors that are involved will term everything and define it for us and have some idea of what your normal course of recovery would be."

The Sixers have a reputation for taking a conservative approach to players’ rehabilitation from injuries.

Colangelo confirmed the Sixers will err on the side of caution with their No.1 draft pick but predicted the 20-year-old will make a full recovery.

"I feel very badly for Ben to be in a situation to start his career this way,” he said.

“But this is an injury that he should come back from and have a very successful and long career.”